CAZA:
Shouf
1200m Etymology:
Syriac origin, "Ain Zohoulto", meaning "the small source"Perched at an altitude of 1200m, Ain Zhalta is a charming village of Shouf including the cedar forest of Ain Zhalta-Bmohray which is part of the Shouf Reserve, listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 2005. The village is famous for its 3 water sources including the strong source of Nabeh el-Safa which has induced the emergence of many restaurants on its banks. The show of running water is an irresistible sight, especially when accompanied by delicious mezze. Ain Zhalta offers a most pleasant setting in the heart of a mountain dotted with history and perennial traditions.
Must-do things
- Mar Nqoula historic church built in the late 19th century
- The citadel built at the time of Emir Fakhreddine and later transformed into a Protestant church
- The Jewish cemeteries
- The ruins of the ancient village Kafra
- The cedar forest of Ain Zhalta-Bmohray which is part of the Shouf Reserve, listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 2005
- The numerous sources of water
- A variety of restaurants around Nabeh el-Safa River
- The hiking trail, section 18, Ain Zhalta-Barouk, 22 km (LMT association)
- Yammine: A Lebanese cuisine on the watercourses of Nabeh el-Safa, a region renowned for its restaurants.
- Abou-Joseph: Located on the main road of Ain Dara, 15 minutes from Ain Zhalta, this snack is certainly worth a visit for its tasty sandwiches, including chicken livers.
- The sculpture workshop of the Assaf brothers in Werhaniyeh, built around a community project and an ecological way of life. Open to the public.
- The labelled villages of Deir el-Qamar, Maasser el-Chouf, Hammana, Falougha and Rechmaya
